Tuesday, August 6, 2013

The story of "America's youth" is strikingly similar to "Iran's youth." Shall we negotiate?!

So, on the surface this post has nothing to do with Iran. But, as an astute observer -- let me humor myself for Pete's sake -- I am always looking for things that remind me of Iran or its shadow. This post on NPR music section about an infectious garage rock band, The Orwells, consisted of a bunch of teenagers from Chicago reminded me of Iranian youth.

NPR is showcasing a music video of a song on their upcoming album. In the news segment, one of the band members tries to explain what the song is about and why it matters. Keep in mind that the song is about American history:

Speaking of the history shown in the historic images flashing behind the band in the "Who Needs You" video, guitarist Matt O'Keefe admits that his education on the subject matter is limited: "Our political knowledge ranges from what we were taught in junior-year U.S. history class — meaning that all we are really sure of is that Abraham Lincoln was a good guy, and that Bill Clinton got head in the Oval Office."

But he also says the song captures a much more innate feeling, and that it doesn't take history books to understand what "Who Needs You" is about: "The millions of people who had their history written for them, and how they felt they couldn't escape it. It's about being told what to do, about being told what to believe in — which is, in a nutshell, the story of America's youth."

Gotta say most of the the Iranian youth learn history also that way. While baseless rumors, conspiracy theories and whatnot are in abundance in the Iranian society, and unfortunately many Iranian youth "learn" about Iran that way, in America, there is freedom of expression and there is high-speed internet in most public libraries and schools. That makes a huge difference, but apparently this Chicago band does not think American kids know their history either.

At any rate, what this well-crafted music video and hear its joyous tunes.